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WHITMIRE — The City of Whitmire is giving residents one more chance to get their new 911 addresses put up before those who do not comply are fined, jailed or both.

Whitmire Town Council unanimously passed an ordinance at this week’s meeting that would allow the town to take action if a resident refuses to comply.

No objections were heard from the community at the public hearing held before the regular town council meeting Monday evening.

Mayor Billy Hollingsworth said many residents have long passed the 30-day deadline to put up the new 911 addresses. They will now be contacted and given 15 days to complete the requirements before more action is taken.

The first offense for residents who do not comply is a written warning. After the warning, if the requirements are not complied with within 15 days, the second offense could be a misdemeanor punishable upon conviction by a fine of $50, or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed 30 days, or both.

If after a second offense, the requirements have not been met, the punishment is a fine of up to $500, imprisonment for a period not exceeding 30 days, or both.

Recreation

Whitmire’s recreational sports teams are shaping up nicely, according to Director Joe Dillard.

“Our Dixie league major and minor teams, and softball are completely filled,” Dillard said.

The teams include children from Whitmire, Newberry, Clinton, Joanna, and Union, Dillard said. Dillard said they are ahead of schedule on scheduling the games and there seems to be a large turn out for Whitmire’s coaches pitch team.

The volleyball facility is shaping up and with weather permitting, the goal is to have it completed soon. The fences are up around the court, and the volleyball nets are on the way, Dillard said.

Dillard said the field will need to be aerated again so that the sod can establish its roots before recreational volleyball can begin, which should take place toward the end of March. The field should be left untouched for three to four weeks after this process, Dillard said, before play can begin.

Along with a new golf program, Dillard said he found an instructor to start a recreational archery program for Whitmire this summer.

“Because the school league has done so well, I thought we’d try this,” Dillard said.

The archery program would be held from June through August.

Upcoming events

Maria Mcmurtury, speaking on behalf of the Economic Development Board, went over some events being planned for Whitmire, including a town auction at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Whitmire Community Center on Park Street.

On April 5, the town will have a wellness walk that will include demonstrations from Thomas’ Grill on healthy eating, as well as different distances of walking for different age groups and fitness levels.

Banners will be hung above Main Street to display information on upcoming events.

The Whitmire Jaycees will host its annual Easter Egg hunt at 3 p.m. April 13 in Heritage Park. The makeup date will be 4 p.m. April 18.

Whitmire’s annual Party in the Pines event will be held from June 12 through June 14. Thursday night will be a gospel night, Friday will be a locals talent night, and Saturday will include the usual parade (line up at 12 noon), then rides will be open for the public.

The Jaycees are currently looking for quotes from certified licensed technicians for power boxes they use during the Party in the Pines event. Duke Power has told the town it will not turn the power on for the rides this year without the power boxes being hooked up according to code. One quote was for $5,200 per box, but the town would need five boxes, which is too expensive.

Councilman Dwight Lane suggested the Jaycees use big generators for power this year because of how soon the event is coming up.

In other business:

• Police Chief Jeremiah Sinclair was in a fire class and unable to attend, so Hollingsworth gave the police department update. For February, Whitmire police filed 46 incidents, and issued 80 citations.

Some of the department’s calls included driving under the influence, driving under suspension, open container, and simple possession of marijuana.

• For February, Whitmire had a beginning balance of $57,256.60, with $82,077.31 in deposits. Expenditures totaled $58,715.74, leaving an ending balance of $80,618.17.

• Councilman Michael Thomas said the water filter plant needs a new air pack, a purchase that has been delayed about six months. The lowest price Thomas said he could find was about $895 plus shipping and tax. A motion was made and approved to purchase this for the water filter plant.

• Council passed second reading of an ordinance to authorize the sale of property at 312 Grant St. for $1,500. Hollingsworth said it puts a piece of property back on the tax roll and keeps them from having to cut the grass, keep up with it.

• Ervin West presented council with three proposals from a Request for Proposal (RFP) on the audio/video equipment still needed for the new rooms in Town Hall Annex. Council unanimously went with Advanced Video Group because it provided the clearest estimates for both rooms. The equipment includes a drop-down projector, seven goose-neck portable microphones, a standalone microphone for speakers, and ceiling speakers for uniform sound quality.

• Jeff Shacker, field services manager with the Municipal Association of South Carolina, spoke with council and explained the municipal government process in South Carolina, including rules, regulations and procedures.

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